Spring has sprung, and it’s time for great new toys! Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht stopped by WCIU Chicago’s “The Jam” to talk about the best new toys for spring and summer, all of which are $20 or less. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below.


CALICO CRITTERS BABY CASTLE PLAYGROUND (EPOCH EVERLASTING PLAY)

  • The fun continues in the Baby Castle Playground featuring Hopscotch Rabbit baby Grace included. Children can send the Baby Critter friends up the ladder to the lookout tower or send them slipping down the slide or playing with friends in the sandbox.
  • This playset is ready for play as a stand-alone product. It includes a slide, ladder, sandbox, and other fun baby playthings. The castle parts can also be placed on top of Baby Castle Nursery (sold separately) to create an even larger school.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $17.95
  • Available: Now

TAD’S FRIDGE PHONICS (LEAPFROG)

  • Make learning the alphabet exciting with Tad’s Fridge Phonics!
  • This interactive toy introduces children to the letters of the alphabet and the sounds they make, helps build vocabulary and exercises fine motor skills.
  • Kids can place one of the 26 musical letter tiles into the letter slot and press down for three modes of play that reinforce letter names, phonics and word skills.
  • Three frames can be customized with personal photos and images for a unique, personalized play experience. And, with its magnetic base, it’s great for fridge play in the kitchen.
  • Ages: 2+
  • MSRP: $19.99
  • Available: Spring 2018

SQUEEZAMALS (BEVERLY HILLS TEDDY BEAR CO.)

  • Squeezamals are super soft and ultra squishy plush. Combining on-trend, foam, squish toys and accessories, soft, high quality, detailed plush and adorable stylizing. Once a Squeezamals is in your hand you will not want to put it down.
  • There are over 36 cute characters to collect, with more on the way. Ranging from narwhals and unicorns to penguins and puppies there is something for everyone to squish and collect. Each one is scented.
  • Squeezamals come in three sizes: Backpack clip at 2.25 inches, Core Squeezamals at 3.5 inches and Large Squeezamals at 8 inches.
  • Ages: 6+
  • MSRP: Backpack clip $3.99 / Core Squeezamals $7.99 / Large Squeezamals $14.99
  • Available Spring 2018

I DIG IT! DINOS EXCAVATION KITS (THAMES & KOSMOS)

  • Discover paleontology and geology in this new series of excavation kits with scientifically accurate models and quality educational materials. The series includes eight excavation kits containing dinosaur replicas, fossils, and minerals; two collectible mini kits including a small blind dinosaur dig-out egg and a collection of mineral specimens; and one giant, 26-inch long dinosaur skeleton model kit.
  • Use the finely crafted hammer and chisel to discover skeleton reliefs, fossilized dinosaurs, and more from the surrounding soft plaster block.
  • Ages: 7+
  • MSRP: $12.95 each
  • Available: Now

LAMAZE PIERRE’S PERFECT DAY (TOMY)

  • Pierre’s Perfect Day is a colorful storybook and 18×18 inch play mat in one.
  • Bond with baby during story time with the bright colors and hidden surprises!
  • Baby can explore crinkle and chime sounds, various textures, a squeaker and multiple contrast patterns. Pierre features a unique folding design that makes him the perfect size to take him with you on the go.
  • When unfolded, the soft play mat encourages baby to move forward, reach, push and crawl!
  • Ages: 6 mos.+
  • MSRP: $19.99

SMOOSHY MUSHY SERIES 3 CREAMERY (REDWOODVENTURES)

  • The slow rising fun keeps growing, just in time for summer! Enjoy some tasty ice cream-themed treats with Smooshy Mushy Series 3 Creamery.
  • Open to find some sweet surprises. Unwrap the container to find out which adorable, scented pets and bestie you received!
  • Collect all eight to uncover the squishy surprises.
  • Ages: 6+
  • MSRP: $9.99
  • Available: May

PINEAPPLE DIAMOND KITE (ANTSY PANTS/BEACH HOUSE GROUP)

  • The Antsy Pants Pineapple Diamond Kite is a part of Antsy Pants new outdoor line of outdoor and beach toys.
  • Children will be able to soar high in the sky with this new collection of vivid, eye-catching kites.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $4.99
  • Available: Target

FUNNY FACE SWIM MASKS (SWIMWAYS)

  • Bring the photo booth to the pool with Funny Face Swim Masks, featuring trendy character styles that kids will love to wear as they strike a pose for a selfie and make faces underwater with friends.
  • Each swimming mask features an easy-to-adjust head strap, a leak-resistant design and soft construction for a comfortable fit.
  • Available in three styles, sold separately: white shark, hilarious mustache and magical unicorn.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $9.99
  • Available: Academy and Swimways.com

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Business Operations Manager at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

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